Looking to visit the United States of America (USA) for a holiday? The USA issues visitor visas to those who wish to visit the country.

Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States. Find below 3 types of nonimmigrant visas:

1. Temporarily for business (visa category B1)
2. Tourism (visa category B2)
3. Or a combination of business & tourism (B-1/B-2)

You can check here if you need a US visa.

In this article, we will be looking exclusively at the tourism visa (visa category B2).

What is the USA B2 visa & what is its purpose?

B2 is a visitor visa issued by USA and is used for the purpose of:

• Tourism
• Vacation (holiday)
• Visit with friends or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation by amateurs in musicals, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

What's the procedure for applying for a USA B2 tourist visa from Qatar?

For first-time applicants, applying for a USA B2 Tourist Visa from Qatar involves 3 major parts, as mentioned below:

• PART 1: Create an online profile
• PART 2: Apply for an interview appointment
• PART 3: Attending the interview process

PART 1: Creating a profile & submitting a nonimmigrant visa application for USA

1. Go to https://qa.usembassy.gov/visas/.

2. Next, scroll down and click on "Tourism & Visit".

3. Once you're on this page, scroll down to the "Visitor Visa B" section and click on "How to Apply".

4. The next step is to click on the "Form DS-160" option.

5. Here, select the location where you will be applying for the visa as QATAR, DOHA and enter the code as shown. Next, click on "START AN APPLICATION".

6. Once you're in, you will have to start by filling in your "Personal Information 1" details, such as Surname, Given Name, Full Name in Native Alphabet, etc.

Once done, click on "Personal 2."

7. The next step is to fill in your "Personal Information 2" details like Country/Region of Origin (Nationality), some Q&As and other details (if applicable) and then click on "Travel".

8. The next sections to fill are the "Travel" details (as applicable to you) and then click on "Travel Companions".

9. Next, fill out the "Travel Companions" and "Previous U.S. Travel" details and click on "Address & Phone."

10. The next step asks you to fill in your "Address and Phone Information". It will also ask you to fill in your "Social Media" information and then click on "Passport".

11. The next two steps require you to submit your "Passport Information" and "U.S. Point of Contact Information" (if applicable) and next click on "Family".

12. In the next step, you need to fill out your "Family Information", such as the details of your father and mother and answer the respective Q&As and go to the next "Work/Education/Training" section.

13. In this step, you must fill in your "Present Work/Education/Training Information."

14. The next two steps involve filling out additional information, such as countries you have been to in the last five years and five parts of the different "Security and Background" questions.

15. After the above two steps, you need to upload a passport-size photo.

16. Click on "Next: REVIEW," where you will review all the information you've provided to date and edit if necessary, before submission.

17. Once you've reviewed all your information, click on "Next: Travel." Make sure you review all your details thoroughly. Your form should be free of discrepancies.

18. This page confirms your submission of the Nonimmigrant visa application, which completes your PART 1 in the visa application process.

19. You will need to print this page and take it with you during your visa interview. Make sure the barcode on the application is clearly visible on your printout.

PART 2: Schedule a tourist visa B2 interview for USA

1. The first step is to go to https://www.ustraveldocs.com/qa/.

2. Next, register as a "New User" by filling in all the necessary details.

3. On this page, you need to click on "New Application/Schedule Appointment".

Here, you can also see the First Available Appointment already fixed for you by the U.S. Embassy (in Qatar).

As per a call with the U.S. Embassy Visa Call Center on 21 May 2024, 10:38 am, you will be able to change or reschedule your appointment date (in case you're unavailable on the date assigned by them) once the payment is done and after logging in on https://www.ustraveldocs.com/qa/ using your registered User ID.

4. Next, you will be taken to the page to select the "Visa Type". Click on "Nonimmigrant Visa" and click "Continue".

5. Here, you will be taken to Step 3, where you will need to select a visa category that applies to you (Medical, Business, or Tourism Travel (B1/B2) and click "Continue".

6. Next, select the Visa Class by clicking on the "B2 - VISITOR FOR PLEASURE OR MEDICAL TREATMENT".

7. The page will take you to Step 5, where you have to fill in the required details.

8. Next, you can add an existing applicant (group/family member) who needs to apply for a visa with you and click "Continue".

9. Here, in Step 7, you should click yes if you possess a Qatar ID or QID.

10. The next step is to opt for Free Pick Up or Paid Pickup of your passport and make the visa payment. The fee for the B2 Visa Class per applicant is USD 185 (approximately QR 675.25).

11. If your visa is approved, you will need to submit your passport to the interviewing officer. Your passport will be returned in 3-5 business days.

12. Once you pay, you will be sent to the "APPOINTMENT CONFIRMATION" page, where you can type in an email address for it to be sent to. After this, you will need to go to the in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy in Doha as per the appointment date.

PART 3: What happens on the day of the US B2 visa interview?

• As soon as you arrive at the embassy, the security guard at the entry gate will ask for your DS-160 Form, appointment confirmation letter, and passport/s.
• Once this is checked, you will be led to the first room where your DS-160 Form, appointment confirmation letter and passport/s again.
• After this, you will be led to another room, where you will have to deposit all your belongings, including electronics like mobile phones, laptops, digital watches, etc. The only things you are allowed to keep with you are your application documents, your passport/s and other supporting documents. We suggest you carry them in a file/folder.
• Next, you will be called in for the first security screening.
• After this, you will be led to the main embassy building, where a second security screening will take place.
• After the second security screening, your fingerprints will be taken and you will be asked to wait until it's time for the interview.
• A consular officer will interview you to decide if you qualify for a visitor visa.
• After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. If this is required, the consular officer will inform you.
• After the visa is approved, your passport will be taken and processed accordingly. You will receive a slip with information like visa approval (subject to your condition), pick-up locations, the number of days it should take for your passport to be ready (subject to change), and other instructions.
• You can then collect your passport via Aramex at the locations chosen while scheduling the interview.

Some things to keep in mind for the in-person interview for USA B2 tourist visa (as per the official website):

• Interview Requirement:
  • All applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview, except children under the age of 14 and elderly over the age of 80.
  • All applicants, including children, must complete their own DS-160 application and make an appointment, even if the child or elderly adult is not required to attend the interview.
• Arrival Time: Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your appointment time. If you arrive early, you will not be allowed to enter the embassy until 15 minutes before your appointment time. Late arrivals might be asked to reschedule.
• Electronics: When coming for your visa appointment, travel as lightly as possible. You will be asked to leave your electronics and personal belongings at a security checkpoint.
• Accommodation Requests: If you require a wheelchair during your interview or are blind or deaf, please email tinyurl.com/DohaVisas with details so they can try to accommodate your request.
• Photos:
  • Old photos can cause delays in visa processing. They must be 5x5 centimetres and taken on a white background within the last six months.
  • Please do not wear glasses, uniforms, hats, or head covering unless required for a religious purpose.
  • You may only wear a head covering if you wear it daily for religious purposes, such as a hijab.
  • Other hats or head coverings, such as the kuffiya or ghutrah, are not allowed.
• Aramex:
  • The U.S. Embassy uses Aramex postal mail services to return passports to visa applicants. Pickup at the Aramex office located in Al Hilal is free of charge. For an additional fee, applicants can collect their passport from the Aramex office in the Gate Mall.
  • Be sure to select the correct Aramex pick-up location when booking your visa appointment. If your visa has been approved, you will receive an SMS text message to pick up your passport from Aramex.
  • Check online for branch hours of operation and phone number.

Please note that these regulations apply to all visitors. If you fail to follow these requirements, your appointment may be delayed or cancelled.

Documents that you should carry for the USA B2 tourist visa:

• Print out of the completed DS-160 Form (compulsory).
• Print out of the interview appointment completion (compulsory).
• Print out of the payment completion. (compulsory)
• Original Passport and old passports, if any.

ILQ tips for your USA B2 tourist visa interview process

1. These are documents that you could carry. Please note that some of these are just suggestions, as the consular officer might ask to see them during your interview.

• Carry your passport-size photos (click here for photo requirement information).
• Bank statements for the last 6 months.
• Letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your salary, mentioning the years of work and stating that your leaves are approved.
• Flight booking if you've already booked your flights.
• Accommodation information in the US, if any (hotel booking).
• Invitation letters from relatives or friends, etc.
• Any other documents that show that you can support yourself during your stay in USA.

2. These are some of the questions you may be asked during your interview. We suggest you have them ready ahead of time. Be confident and honest in your communication.

• Why do you want to visit the US?
• Where exactly do you plan to visit?
• How long do you plan to stay there?
• What is your entry point in the US, and why did you choose this?
• Which countries have you travelled to before?
• Where do you work? What does your job entail?
• What is your monthly salary?
• Do you have family in the USA?

3. Dress like you are going for a job interview.

Good luck with your application process!

RELATED:

• How to apply for Schengen Tourist Visa in Qatar
• How to apply for the Saudi eVisa as a GCC resident
  

Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State, https://qa.usembassy.gov/visas/

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